Two LeT militants killed in Budgam encounter

Srinagar, Nov 1: Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed and an Army soldier was injured in a gunfight at ZugooArizal area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday.

A police spokesman said the gunfight broke out after a joint team of army’s 53RR, SOG and CRPF laid a siege around Zugoo, Arizal after receiving credible inputs about the presence of some militants in the area.

He said that two militants were killed in the gunfight that lasted for several hours. The slain militants, he said, were identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Khan son of Abdul Ahad Khan, a resident of Brass Arizal Budgam and Mohd Amin Mir son of Ghulam Rasool Mir resident of Drangbal Pampore.

“Both slain involved in a series of militant attacks on security establishments in the area. Mukhtar was involved in case FIR No 37/2018 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 Arms Act, 16/18 ULAP Act dated 25.03.2018 in Budgam, while Mohd Amin was involved in case FIR No 75/2018 under section 18/20/30 ULAP Act at PS Pampore,” the spokesman said.

In the encounter, one army man also sustained injuries and was evacuated to hospital for medical attention. He is stated to be stable. Police have registered a case and investigation has started.

Meanwhile, both the militants were laid to rest and thousands of people amid rains attended the funeral prayers of the two slain militants at their respective native villages at Pampore and Arizal.

Mobile Internet service was snapped in the Budgam district soon after the gunfight broke out. An official said the service was suspended as a “precautionary measure” to prevent spreading of rumours.

Reports said that youth pelted stones on the forces in Namblabal area of Pampore following the killing of Mohd Amin Mir. The protesters also blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway.

The militant killings triggered violent protests in Zugoo near the site of the gunfight, and Pampore area of Pulwama district as the news of local militant’s death reached there.

At least 10 persons were injured in clashes at Pampore and Arizal. A woman is said to have suffered injuries during clashes at Pampore.